• Bernie Sanders becomes the first sitting US senator to label Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide.
• A UN report concludes that Israel's conduct meets the definition of genocide as per international law.
• The senator demands an end to US military aid to Israel and calls for increased humanitarian support for Palestinians.

US Senator Bernie Sanders has made headlines as the first sitting senator to describe Israel's military campaign against Palestinians in Gaza as genocide. His statement comes on the heels of a United Nations report that concluded Israel's actions meet the criteria for genocide as defined by the Genocide Convention, marking a significant shift in the political discourse surrounding the conflict, particularly in the United States. The report indicated that this finding is part of a broader consensus among human rights organizations and experts internationally, emphasizing the urgency of the situation in Gaza, where over 65,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed amidst the ongoing conflict, according to aljazeera, indiatimes, middleeasteye, and vox.

Sanders argued that the intent to destroy the Palestinian people in Gaza has become increasingly evident, citing public statements by Israeli officials that dehumanize Palestinians and advocate for collective punishment. He emphasized the need for the United States to withdraw its support for what he termed "Netanyahu’s genocidal government," a move he sees as necessary to end the complicity of the US in these actions. The senator’s position follows a report by the UN that explicitly stated Israel’s military actions constitute "acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention," highlighting that at least four of the five acts of genocide were observed, according to aljazeera and vox.

Moreover, Sanders has called for a ceasefire and a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, advocating for actions that align with international humanitarian law. He asserted, “We must use every ounce of our leverage” to ensure humanitarian assistance is delivered to those suffering in Gaza, emphasizing the moral imperative of the situation. His statements resonate with a growing group of lawmakers and advocates who have similarly described the conditions in Gaza as genocidal, reflecting a shift in public opinion and political rhetoric concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to indiatimes, middleeasteye, and vox.

The UN report which sparked Sanders’ comments highlights not only the casualty figures but also the systematic destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, creating conditions that could lead to the complete physical destruction of the Palestinian people. It cites statements by Israeli leaders that reflect a broader policy of targeting civilians and punishing entire communities for the actions of Hamas, further substantiating the claims of genocide, according to aljazeera and vox.